Football | Lionel Messi will not participate in the Paris Olympics

A megastar Lionel Messi has refused to play in the Paris Olympics. Head coach of the Argentine Olympic team Javier Mascherano courted his old teammate until the end, but Messi felt that the stress caused by the club season and the soon-to-be-started Copa America tournament prevented the Olympic trip.

“I talked with Javier and we both understood the situation. It’s hard to even think about the Olympics because we’re focusing on the Copa America now. If I played in the Olympics, I would be out of Inter Miami for up to three months,” Messi told the sports channel ESPNin an interview with

Mess36, is also aware of the limitations brought by his age.

“I’m not young anymore, so I can’t participate in everything. Two tournaments in a row would be too much. Fortunately, I had time to play in the Olympics when I was younger. Javier and I won Olympic gold in 2008, it was a wonderful experience.”

In the same interview, Messi also opened up about his plans for ending his playing career. The magician’s playing years are unhelpfully dwindling, but the Argentinian isn’t hanging up his buttons just yet.

“I love football; playing and training. I’m a little afraid of the end of it all. I’m not ready to stop yet.”

Messi, who moved to Inter Miami in 2023, believes that he will play the rest of his career in his current club.

“Today, at this moment, I believe that Inter Miami is my last club.”